OFWguru Workabroad Guides

Location, Culture and Pinoys in Singapore

Location

Lying at continental Asia’s southernmost tip is the Republic of Singapore, which is separated by the Straits of Johor to the north from Peninsular Malaysia, and by the Singapore Strait to the south from Indonesia’s Riau Islands.

The territory of Singapore is comprised of the Singapore Island and Pulau Ujong in Malay—following a diamond-shaped island, and 60 other smaller islets.

Culture

Interesting Facts:

1. The name Singapore is derived from the Malay word “Singapura,” where “Singa” means lion and “Pura” means city. A lion, then, is considered among the nation’s symbols and as a standard reference to Singapore being the Lion City.

2. “Lion City,” “Garden City,” and the “Red Dot” are how Singapore is referred to, as it’s recognized as the leading global city-state and island country throughout Southeast Asia.

3. The Human Development Index ranks Singapore as 9th globally—leading Asia, with relation to national social progress including education, healthcare, quality of life, personal safety, housing, and life expectancy.

Pinoys in Singapore

As of 2014, more than 170,000 Filipinos are residing in Singapore. From having only 163,090 Filipinos in 2009, 45,450 were added to the population from 2010 to 2012.

In 2007, 80,000 Filipinos have had work in Singapore as domestic helpers, while 12,000 are in the Information Technology industry. OFWs have filled other professions such as nurses, bank clerks, sales assistants, and entertainers for the past years.